Elementary School Teacher Salary in Midland, MI: $62,143 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time elementary school teacher in Midland, MI earns a median $62,143/year (โ $29.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 โ projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 25-2021). Once you factor in Midland's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.9), that paycheck buys what $67,605 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data ยท View source

In 2026, Midland's elementary school teachers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $62,143, which is slightly below the national median of $64,597. The salary range for these positions varies significantly, with entry-level salaries starting at $47,632 and experienced educators earning up to $94,901. The data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects a local job market that still finds itself in need of qualified professionals, particularly in specialization areas such as special education, STEM, and bilingual education. These shortage stipends can add an additional financial incentive to base pay, making Midland an attractive option for educators with the right qualifications who are considering their next teaching opportunity.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,632 | $22.90 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,581 | $23.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,143 | $29.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,350 | $38.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $94,901 | $45.62 |
Median Salary Position
3.8% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Midland
In Midland, MI, the elementary school teacher salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,269 (2026 est.). At $62,143, the local median is 3.8% below the national median of $64,597.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Midland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Midland Elementary School Teacher Pay Compares
Midland median: $62,143/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Midland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $64,665 | -3.90% less |
| National Average | $64,597 | -3.80% less |
Elementary School Teachers in Midland, MI earn a median of $62,143 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.80% lower than the national median of $64,597 and 3.90% below the Michigan state average of $64,665.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Midland has a cost of living 8.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal ร (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Midland, MI has a cost-of-living index of 91.921 (below the national average of 100). A elementary school teacher earning $62,143 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $67,605 in an average-cost city โ an effective 8.79% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,820
2025 BLS Actual
$61,540
2026 Current Est.
$62,143
2019โ2027 Growth
+14.5%
Salary Trajectory for Elementary School Teachers in Midland (2019โ2027)
2019โ2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 0.98% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,840 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,900 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,450 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,520 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,143 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,752 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Midland metropolitan area, the median elementary school teacher salary grew 12.3% from $54,820 (2019) to $61,540 (2025). At a 0.98% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,752 by 2027 โ a total increase of $7,932 (14.47%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019โ2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Midland metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026โ2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 0.98% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,632 โ $49,581 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,581 โ $62,143 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,143 โ $79,350 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,350 โ $94,901 |
Teacher salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual elementary school teacher compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Elementary School Teacher Job Market in Midland
With around 290 elementary school teachers currently employed in the Midland area, the local job market offers a reasonable amount of opportunities relative to its population size. The cost-of-living index of 91.921 indicates that residents can expect their earnings to stretch further than in many urban districts, improving take-home purchasing power. Various educational institutions, including public K-12 districts and charter school networks, contribute to the salary differences observed within the area. Compensation varies notably due to factors such as district-specific step-and-lane pay scales, available stipends for teaching in high-need areas, and additional roles like tutoring or coaching. Educators aiming to maximize their salary in Midland should consider pursuing National Board Certification, advanced degrees, or taking on summer contracts to enhance their earnings potential and job security.
More salary data for Midland, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Jordan Lee, M.Ed.
Career Analyst
Jordan Lee has over 10 years of experience in elementary education. They focus on curriculum development and teaching methodologies. Their experience includes working in public schools.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $61,540 for elementary school teachersin the Midland metropolitan area. A 0.98% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10โP90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (โ). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 0.98%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for elementary school teachers (SOC 25-2021).
Compiled and verified by Jordan Lee, M.Ed., a licensed elementary school teacher with 10+ years of clinical experience. ยท View source data at BLS.gov